Plug-in 4 Power: electric vehicle showcase

Date posted: Monday 11 Oct 2010

Recent developments in electric vehicle technology will be showcased at Plug-in 4 Power, the first Australian electric vehicle seminar and showcase to be launched by Melbourne Greens MP Adam Bandt at Swinburne University.

Co-ordinated by Swinburne, AutoCRC and SAE Australasia, the event will bring together representatives from government, universities, car manufacturers and the community.

Professor Ajay Kapoor, Swinburne researcher and chair of Plug-in 4 Power, said the event aims to accelerate the use of electric vehicle technology by Australian industries.

“Innovative vehicles that run on less energy and produce less carbon have become vital in the automotive sector as governments and community look to address issues of energy security, climate change and sustainability,” he said.

“One of the main intentions behind the event is to facilitate research collaborations and provide networking opportunities for the many stakeholders involved in the creation of sustainable transport.”

A free exhibit of electric vehicles developed by universities and car manufacturers including GM Holden, Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Subaru and Mercedes will be open for viewing by the general public.

Electric cars built by Swinburne undergraduate and TAFE students will also be on display.

Presentations by GM Holden, SIM Drive (Japan), Hefei University of Technology (HFUT, China), Swinburne, Betterplace Australia, Mitsubishi Motors, the Department of Infrastructure, CSIRO, RMIT University and SAE will be given at the seminar.

The delegation from HFUT will also sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Swinburne to collaborate on research and development of lightweight battery-charged electric vehicles.